Waldemar Yochim

Recently, I received the sad news that Walt Yochim had passed away in Welland at the age of ninety. He spent 22 years living in Marten River full time, and before that, many years part time as a cottager. He was colourful and his way of speaking was gruff and low and many a time it was hard to understand what he said. If Vera, his wife was around, she would interpret for him. He was always willing to help out whenever anything needed doing and did a lot of work for the Walleye Association of Marten River.
When they left Marten River about 7 years ago, because they wanted to be closer to family and were getting up in age, we were sad to see them go and they were missed very much. Walt loved to pick up the mail and I think he would have picked up everybody's mail on Marten Lake road if he had his way. I loved their little cozy house on Marten Lake Road with it's steps down to the bathroom, and the one bedroom ( they would not have to have anybody overnight as guests that way, they always said laughing). They had a property right next store with a cottage or trailer on it, I can't remember which, where they would accomodate their family and guests. Walt always said laughing, that they were camp owners along with all the rest of the camp owners and should belong to the tourist association. He and Vera had been married for 60 years. I remember the celebration and open house here when they had been married 50 years. People were spilling out everywhere that evening. I think everybody in Marten River came at the time.
I have many fond memories of Walt and Vera and their time here in Marten River, and have missed them since their departure. Many of us will mourn with Vera at his passing.